Over 6.6 million attended events led by Pope Francis in 2013

January 03, 2014 - Over 6.6 million people have attended events led by Pope Francis at the Vatican since his election in March. Figures released by the Pontifical Household on Thursday are based on the number of tickets issued for papal events such as at Wednesday’s general audiences, Masses and private audiences. A communiqué said they were also based on estimates of the number of people at events where tickets are not needed, such as at the weekly midday Angelus or Regina Coeli or other celebrations in St. Peter’s Square. The Pontifical Household specified that the figures released do not include the crowds that turned out to see the Pope during his only foreign trip to Brazil as well as to Assisi, Lampedusa, Cagliari and in other events in Italy and in Rome diocese.